The Moro Affair

By Leonardo Sciascia
Translated from the Italian by Sacha Rabinovitch
Introduction by Peter Robb

On March 16, 1978 Aldo Moro, a former Prime Minister of Italy, was ambushed in Rome. Within three minutes the gang killed his escort and bundled Moro into one of three getaway cars. An hour later the terrorist group the Red Brigades announced that Moro was in their hands; on March 18 they said he would be tried in a "people's court of justice." Seven weeks later Moro's body was discovered in the trunk of a car parked in the crowded center of Rome.

The Moro Affair presents a chilling picture of how a secretive government and a ruthless terrorist faction help to keep each other in business.

Also included in this book is "The Mystery of Majorana," Sciascia's fascinating investigation of the disappearance of a major Italian physicist during Mussolini's regime.

Reviews

A brilliant examination of the nature of rhetoric and power.
— Sunday Times (London)

Fascinating... reads like a fable about power anywhere in the world.
— The Independent

Also see:

To Each His Own By Leonardo Sciascia Translated from the Italian by Adrienne Foulke Introduction by W.S. Di Piero To Each His Own is one of the masterworks of the great Sicilian novelist Leonardo Sciascia—a gripping and unconventional detective story that is also an anatomy of a society founded on secrets, lies, collusion, and violence.

The Wine-Dark Sea By Leonardo Sciascia Translated from the Italian by Avril Bardoni Introduction by Albert Mobilio Sciascia examines the contradictions—sometimes comic, sometimes deadly, and sometimes both—of Sicily's turbulent history and day-to-day life.

The Day of the Owl By Leonardo Sciascia Translated from the Italian by Archibald Colquhoun and Anthony Oliver Introduction by George Scialabba This short, beautifully paced novel is a mesmerizing description of the Mafia at work.

Equal Danger By Leonardo Sciascia Translated from the Italian by Adrienne Foulke Introduction by Carlin Romano District Attorney Varga is shot dead. Then Judge Sanza is killed. Then Judge Azar. Are these random murders, or part of a conspiracy?

Leonardo Sciascia Collection Get all five NYRB classics by Leonardo Sciascia.

Sign up for our free email newsletters for updates and special offers on NYRB books.